Gouker plans to name interim state’s attorney

OREGON — Ogle County will see a new judge and state’s attorney Monday morning. Current Ogle County State’s Attorney Ben Roe will step down Jan. 7 and will be sworn in as as Circuit Judge.

Prior to Roe’s swearing in; however, Ogle County Board Chairman Kim Gouker will name an interim to take Roe’s place at the State’s Attorney’s office.

“In the desire to have continuity in the State’s Attorney’s office, an interim State’s Attorney will be named Monday morning. The interim will come from the State’s Attorney’s office,” Gouker said.

Gouker will make a recommendation for a permanent State’s Attorney to the full county board on Jan. 15, at their next regularly scheduled meeting. Gouker cited the cost of holding a special meeting as one of the reasons for naming an interim until the full board can meet at their regularly scheduled time.

Gouker’s recommendation on Jan. 15 will be from one of the four candidates that originally applied for the position.

On Dec. 18, the Ogle County Board voted 13-11, rejecting Gouker’s recommendation of M. Thomas Suits of Polo. The other candidates that applied were Mike Rock from the Ogle County State’s Attorney’s office, former associate judge Robin Minnis and public defender Eric Morrow.

By state law, the appointment of a successor State’s Attorney will only be valid for the remainder of the first two years of the current four-year term to which Roe had been elected in November.

A special election for Ogle County State’s Attorney, will be held to fill the final two years of the term, at the next General Election to be held Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2014.